WIN a $25.00 VISA Card by guessing the name that the magician gave the mermaid. Only people subscribing to my Newsletter or "followers" are allowed to enter. Only one guess per person allowed. Email your guess to dreaminsailorman@hotmail.com Should there be more than one correct answer, the winner's names will be put into a hat and the first name drawn is the winner. Family members are allowed to guess a name too but they are not elegible to win the prize - sorry.
Realizing only two more guesses were available, this could well be their last evening they would spend together, the sailorman knew he had to be alone for at least a little while so he could get control of his emotions; he needed to have a clear head to solve the sorcerer’s spell. He'd discovered that sometimes when he slept and his mind drifted to the world of dreams, some of the problems that bothered him or questions that needed solving were often divulged by the time he awoke. So far, regarding this particular peril of trying to solve the mermaid’s name, nothing notable had surfaced. Names and more names kept revolving around inside his head; so many names to choose from but not one of them stood out. Deciding not to think about the dilemma, attempting to wash his mind clear; the sailorman began strolling along the beach and concentrating on searching for treasures that may have washed ashore during the night.
Finding nothing of interest laying on the beach or lodged between some rocks, the sailorman picked up a small stick and threw it into the sea. No sooner did the stick strike the surface; Misty was exuberantly swimming after it. He watched the excited little dog as she gleefully chomped down on the stick and brought it back to the sandy shore. Tossing the stick at the sailorman's feet, she looked up at him and commenced barking loudly, begging him to throw it back into the water so she could retrieve it once again. Besides playing ball inside the boat, chasing pinecones the sailorman kicked along the forest trail, retrieving sticks from the sea was another of her favorite games. As he reached for the stick, Misty tried snatching it back, but he was too fast for her. As she leaped into the air trying to regain her prize, he threw it back into the sea. After repeating the same routine several times, seeing the little dog was beginning to tire, he resumed their walk, much to Misty’s indignation.
The mermaid was sitting on a rock covered with seaweed, her fishtail hidden beneath the waves when the boatman and Misty returned to the dinghy. Unable to see her tail beneath the water, he was thinking how beautiful she looked; just like a normal woman. Crossing his fingers tightly, he prayed this evening’s name would be the correct choice. Forcing a smile, so afraid he would lose her soon he waved. Smiling and waving back she cheerfully said, “You were gone for a long time; don’t you know it’s bad manners to keep a lady waiting.”
Shoving off, the dinghy’s bow easily parting the waves, the sailorman watched the mermaid dive into the sea, moments later surfacing alongside.
The mermaid was about to yell, "Race you to the sailboat!" until she noticed how despondent the sailorman looked as he rowed the dinghy. So instead she said, “You look beat. How about just lying back in the boat and I'll tow you home?”
After thinking about it for a few moments the sailorman said, “Yeah. That would be great! I don't know why but I feel really tired.” Tossing her the rope attached to the bow of the dinghy, he sprawled out as best as he was able, the perpetual movement of the sea soon lulling him to sleep.
When the sailorman awoke a little while later, rubbing the deep sleep out of his eyes with his hands, he realized he was still lying in the dinghy, except now it was tied to the sailboat. Misty was looking down at him from the deck and so was the mermaid. She was smiling; her face radiant and glowing with love.
After a light dinner, the sailorman and the mermaid sat quietly side by side on the deck. As they watched the sun disappear below the watery horizon, Misty slept below on the galley settee. The mermaid's head was resting on the sailorman's shoulder, their hands entwined; enjoying the peacefulness of the lapping waves, the approaching night and their closeness. Words were not needed; such were their feelings. As darkness descended, the first evening star appearing, the mermaid pointed at it excitedly exclaiming, “Look! The first star! Now we get to make a wish!”
The sailorman watched her close her eyes and felt her squeeze his hand tightly as she concentrated on the wish. He was about to speak when she opened her eyes and said, “Shh! Don’t you dare ask what I wished for! If I tell you, it won’t come true, and this wish has to come true; it just has to.”
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